CARDIOVASCULAR DETERMINANTS OF PLASMA FIBRONECTIN IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION - THE EVA STUDY

Plasma fibronectin was determined in 1262 individuals (742 females, 52 0 males) aged 59-71 years at the beginning of an epidemiological study on vascular aging (the EVA study) in Nantes, western France. The aver age values (62.88 +/- 20.30 mg/100 ml for males, n = 520 and 62.15 +/- 18.85 mg/100 ml for females, n = 742) and the distribution of values were comparable for males and females. Significant positive correlatio ns were found in both sexes between plasma fibronectin values and some cardiovascular risk factors such as body mass index, systolic and dia stolic blood pressure, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholest erol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides and fibrinogen. A significant ne gative correlation was found with high density lipoprotein (HDL)-chole sterol. No correlation was found between fibronectin values and smokin g or alcohol consumption. Multiple regression analysis showed that sys tolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides remained signi ficantly associated with plasma fibronectin whereas only marginal asso ciations were found with age, body mass index and fibrinogen. These re sults are in agreement with previous findings showing a strong increas e in fibronectin in atherosclerotic plaques and also the complex forma tion between fibronectin and LDL. These results substantiate the claim that modifications of the metabolism of extracellular matrix componen ts accompany the atherosclerotic process. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd.